Page 45 of For Her

Never stopping even for a day.

I try to give back with all my love,

Though it will never be enough

But I give her me in every way.”

Jack repeats the chorus, never so much emotion in that low, gravelly voice. And all of a sudden, something takes over me. I need him; I want my arms around him. I have to get to him.

Without a thought or a word, I dart into the aisle.

“Mayzie?” I hear Melanie call behind me, and I feel Shane at my elbow half a second later as he mumbles into his earpiece about how he’s got me secure and we’re headed to the back of the stage. We are? Huh. I’m glad he knows where we’re going because my legs seem to have a mind of their own.

I hang onto Jack’s voice as I enter the corridor to the stage, although it’s slightly muted by the concrete walls. I’ve spent so many years wandering around the back of many a stage, yet I’m lost, relying on the volume of the music to guide me.

At last, I find the steps on the side of the stage that lead up to where the guys are performing, just in time to see Jack belt the last words to a frantic, roaring applause. I bring a hand to my chest, willing my heart rate to regulate as the guys shout their ‘thank yous’ and ‘good nights’ to the crowd.

As soon as Jack turns my direction, I start running. He sees me coming and his face brightens more than the lights that flash across the amphitheater, and he quickly closes the distance. In a swift move, he pulls his guitar strap off and hands his Gibson over to his tech and picks me up, his arms wrapped around me as much as they’ll go.

My legs go around his waist and I take his face in my hands and kiss him, letting our surroundings melt away.

“Thank you for the song,” I whisper against his lips, as that’s the best my gooey, love-struck blob of a brain can come up with.

“Thank you for saying ‘yes’,” he replies, kissing me again.

“You’re so getting laid tonight,” I giggle at him like an idiot.

“You heard the song - whatever you want,” he quirks a smart eyebrow at me.

“No, whateveryouwant,” I playfully argue.

“Hey, we can go on like this all night, but we both know what we should do instead,” he reasons, as he starts making his way towards the stairs, despite the fact I’m still monkey-hugging him.

“Tell me we’re going straight home,” I plead in his ear.

“Straight home,” he firmly assures.

“Good, because I also want to see our little boy,” I confess.

“So do I, Baby,” he agrees, setting me down and taking my hand once we emerge out the back door and head towards the waiting SUV.

Epilogue

10 months later

Jack

“What do you think, buddy?” I ask Felix as I stand him in my lap. “I know this is Mommy’s time and we don’t want to distract from that, but I’ve been really good the last two seasons and I’m dying to see her in action. Aren’t you?” He looks at me with raised eyebrows as he gnaws on his squishy, green teething toy. “Yes?” I ask, trying to read the expression of our son that doesn’t have words yet. “I’m going to take that as a yes,” I tell him, before standing off the couch and shifting him to one arm.

I put my sunglasses on and grab the diaper bag - which I look very manly with - and head out the door into the blazing L.A. sun. I find myself, once again, living in a pool house as George and Erin were kind enough to put us up in their guest house during this time. The privacy is much preferred to that of a hotel, and they’ve even let us bring our knucklehead dogs.

After about a half hour ride in the SUV, we’re taken in the back door of the studio and escorted to the second floor of the building to a closed door that I know my wife is behind.

My heart rate picks up a little and a grin spreads across my face. I’m so fucking excited to see this. I normally keep my distance so that Mayzie can shine in her element, but dammit, I’ve been dying to see all the behind-the-scenes dynamic.

I raise the hand that’s not holding our son and give a quick knock before turning the knob and letting the door swing open to reveal Mayzie in a spacious dance studio, standing before a young guy and girl, both dressed in dance attire.

“This is about trust in your partner,” Mayzie lectures the young lady as she gestures her hand at the guy who stands impatiently with his arms crossed until his eyes meet mine and go as wide as satellite dishes.